Austin, Texas — Former President George W. Bush allegedly keeps a secretive portrait of Donald Trump hidden from view, a subject raised by journalist Jacob Weisberg in a recent interview. According to Weisberg, who discussed his latest book, “Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era,” Bush’s portrayal of Trump reflects a complex mix of emotions, yet he remains publicly silent about the former president.
Weisberg, known for his “Bushisms” series that highlights verbal gaffes by Bush during his presidency, expressed concern regarding Bush’s reluctance to confront Trump directly. He suggested that Bush, the only living former Republican president, has effectively sidestepped criticism of Trump, opting instead for a form of art therapy through painting. In his new book, released by Penguin Press on September 15, Weisberg profiles Bush alongside other prominent figures who have navigated the turbulent political landscape shaped by Trump.
Bush took up painting after his presidency, creating artwork that, according to Weisberg, represents his unvoiced sentiments. The portraits often depict wounded veterans and immigrants, signaling a nuanced engagement with political themes without explicit commentary. Weisberg draws an analogy between Bush’s hidden portrait of Trump and Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” suggesting that the former president’s true feelings about Trump are embodied in his artwork rather than spoken words.
While other former presidents have spoken out against Trump’s policies, Bush has remained conspicuously quiet. Weisberg argues that this silence constitutes a moral failure when leaders are required to take a stand against what he describes as Trump’s dictatorial tendencies and reckless governance. Bush’s public demeanor appears more congenial towards Democratic counterparts than to Trump, raising questions about his reluctance to engage with the former president’s controversial actions openly.
Weisberg’s book identifies eight public figures as collaborators in what he characterizes as a tacit support for Trump’s presidency. Among them are former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Chief Justice John Roberts. Weisberg argues that these individuals have contributed to Trump’s retention of power, emphasizing the theme of civic cowardice. He points to McConnell’s decision not to reconvene the Senate for an impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol attack, as well as Roberts’ ruling granting former presidents significant legal protections.
In the interview, Weisberg remarked on the contrast between physical courage, which he claims is common, and moral courage, which he finds lacking among prominent leaders. He also highlighted Brad Karp, the former chairman of the law firm Paul Weiss, who agreed to a controversial deal that benefitted Trump after facing direct attacks from the former president. Weisberg points out the ethical dilemmas faced by those in positions of influence, including media figures like Megyn Kelly, who once challenged Trump’s views but later endorsed him, calling him a protector of women.
Adding to the ongoing narrative, Trump has expressed displeasure over public portrayals of him, previously criticizing artworks that he believes distort his image. This history of reaction to unfavorable depictions amplifies the intrigue surrounding Bush’s hidden portrait, which Weisberg maintains serves as a potent symbol of Bush’s internal conflict regarding Trump.
As former presidents often maintain a degree of silence on contemporary political issues, Weisberg underscores that Bush’s reticence goes beyond mere absence of comment. He categorizes Bush’s inaction as a form of failure, particularly regarding Trump’s efforts to dismantle initiatives like the global HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, which Bush significantly championed during his presidency.
Despite the complexities of his relationships within the political sphere, Bush continues to safeguard his portrait of Trump, a choice Weisberg interprets as one that encapsulates the tension between personal belief and public accountability. The painting remains a silent witness to the evolving dynamics of modern American politics, preserved yet unseen, much like the nuanced discussions surrounding leadership and complicity in these strained times.